Providing Nutritious Food to Texans While Acting as Good Stewards Of Valuable Resources

School nutrition professionals may find that leftovers present a challenge regardless of efforts to plan for efficiency and prepare appealing meals. Recognizing the challenges, TDA has provided a list of food-waste-reduction strategies that maximize the value of school meal leftovers. Using these tips will enable school nutrition professionals to provide added nutrition for Texas while acting as good stewards of valuable resources.

Options for Dealing with Leftovers

Preparing enough school meals for their student population, while managing costs and food waste, requires constant diligence on the part of school nutrition professionals. To minimize food waste, schools may set up leftover sharing tables, sell leftovers as second meals and al a carte items, or donate food to eligible local food banks or charitable organizations as long as all state and local health and safety regulations are followed.

Options for Dealing With Food Waste

Even with thoughtful ordering, proper storage and good preparation practices, some food waste is unavoidable. When school food professionals cannot re-purpose or donate leftovers, they may consider recycling and composting instead of throwing out food. When schools recycle food waste they can build partnerships, teach children valuable lessons and improve fiscal responsibility.

Hays CISD Takes Composting, Recycling Districtwide

Eastside High Students Helping Peers Learn Recycling

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call(866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: